ALLEN, Texas – The third installment of Pro Hockey News’ ongoing series ‘Goalie Masks of the Central Hockey League’ spotlights Laredo Bucks netminder Torrie Jung. Jung is a native of Nanaimo, British Columbia and is currently in his second full season as a professional. Both seasons have been spent playing in the CHL for Laredo. Jung is a seventh round (183rd overall) draft pick of the Tampa Bay Lightning from the 2007 NHL draft. He recently spoke with Pro Hockey News about the mask and the history behind it. The mask itself is a holdover from Jung’s time with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League, in Canada’s highest level of junior hockey. Jung had no input on the design of the mask whatsoever, as it was part of a contest the Oil Kings ran. Fans submitted artwork to design his mask, and after several finalists were selected by the team, fans voted for their favorite design. The winning design was then painted on the mask and given to Jung. The front of the mask features the Edmonton Oil Kings logo on the crown. On the left side of the chin is Jung’s nickname of “Junger” in gold foil. 
Opposite of it on the right side is the number 1, Jung’s uniform number for the Oil Kings surrounded by stylized wings, also in gold foil. 
Jung was also quick to point out the large dent in the wire face mask right at eye level, a result from a slap shot hitting him head-on. 
Jung said the design of the mask has a ‘good’ side and an ‘evil’ side. The left ‘evil’ side features a dark and menacing helmeted warrior sitting on a throne with skulls at his feet and dark clouds overhead. The right ‘good’ side features a Thor-like hero with weapons in hand, also sitting upon a throne under a sunny sky. 
The back headplate is a solid blue and undecorated except for where Jung has placed the initials MJ and DJ, for his brother and father, respectively. 
Along the bottom of the headplate are the initials DBCC. These initials stands for a quote that has a personal meaning to Jung. A very special thanks go to Torrie Jung for taking time out of his day to speak with Pro Hockey News and share the story behind his mask.
Contact the writer/photographer at chip crail@prohockeynews.com
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